Hate to break it to you, but NO it was NOT your favorite celebrity who invented the “selfie.” While most of those who take selfies are seen as vain, shallow, attention-seekers, the rest of us are trying a new approach, self-confidence.

History of the Selfie:

[The] word of the year for 2013 to be “selfie”, which they define as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smart phone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.” Although the rampant proliferation of the technique is quite recent, the “selfie” itself is far from being a strictly modern phenomenon. Indeed, the photographic self-portrait is surprisingly common in the very early days of photography exploration and invention, when it was often more convenient for the experimenting photographer to act as model as well. In fact, the picture considered by many to be the first photographic portrait ever taken was a “selfie”. The image in question was taken in 1839 by an amateur chemist and photography enthusiast from Philadelphia named Robert Cornelius. Cornelius had set his camera up at the back of the family store in Philadelphia. He took the image by removing the lens cap and then running into frame where he sat for a minute before covering up the lens again. On the back he wrote “The first light Picture ever taken. 1839.” –Public Domain Review

As we all know, there are body shamers, those who mock the appearance of others, for whatever twisted reason. Those of us on the receiving end, well, it’s been a very bumpy road in the self-confidence department.

It makes it hard to go out, being worried about what others think of what you’re wearing, how your hair is, your body shape. Even TRYING to keep fit is a challenge because when you go somewhere to work on yourself, you can be mocked there too.

Just getting out of bed can be a tough battle. But today, I managed to roll out of bed at 5:15 am for a 6 am Zumba class at Casa Loca Fitness. Where I think I’ve found my fitness family, with lots of support, fun and movement. I did back to back classes. I went to Pound yesterday afternoon, where I got to use Ripstix (drumsticks) to hit the floor while moving around. Great for your physical AND mental health!!

Now, you’re wondering what the hell does that all have to do with selfies? Well …

This one was last night:

These are from this morning, right after the workout, and right after my shower.

I recently got a new phone, which means more gigs, which means Snapchat and Instagram! I decided to play around with the filters and post even my most goofy looking pictures.

Feel good about just being yourself no matter what you look like, and even how you feel inside. You could be having the worst day of your life, but taking a goofy selfie can help release some of that tension.

Each tiny thing you do for yourself becomes a victory. Even if it is just a silly photo of yourself. YOU HAVE TO BE YOU! That includes all the pain and suffering that goes along with it!

Find your own sense of self, wear what you feel good wearing, what you think looks good. Rock it like you’re the biggest rock star in the world! Easier said than done, but hey, that’s life.

In a lot of my selfies I’m not smiling. You don’t have to! It’s not called a “smilelie.” It’s just to say, “HEY, I’M ALIVE! LET’S KICK SOME ASS TODAY BY BEING ALIVE!”

I even went so far as to take a selfie and draw a portrait of that selfie and stick them side by side. It shows strength, growth, self-love, and my inner demons, whom are a major part of who I am.

Let’s change the way the selfie is perceived! Self love is important. If you can’t love yourself, it makes it difficult to love others. It’s a major struggle in a lot of people’s lives and by being able to look at a photo of yourself, you are able to look deep past all your flaws, deep past all your emotions, your inner demons, and see your raw soul that is YOU!

Take a selfie for your self-confidence. Get a friend or family member to take one with you! Show that you love yourselves and each other!